Expeditors 1Q: Air Freight Soars, Ocean Dips

Expeditors’ 1Q: Air Freight Soars, Ocean Freight Dips – What It Means for Trucking

Expeditors International reported strong first-quarter results, with air freight volumes surging while ocean freight softened. For trucking carriers and drivers, this divergence signals shifting supply chain dynamics that could impact freight demand, rates, and lane strategies.

Air Freight Strength: A Tailwind for Time-Sensitive Trucking

Expeditors’ air freight tonnage grew 12% year-over-year in Q1, driven by e-commerce demand and tech sector restocking. Air cargo typically moves from airports to distribution centers via truck, creating demand for expedited LTL and dedicated truckload services. Carriers serving major air hubs like Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, and New York JFK saw increased spot volumes.

According to FreightWaves, air freight rates remain elevated, and trucking companies with strong relationships at air cargo terminals are well-positioned. For owner-operators, focusing on time-critical lanes near airports can yield premium rates.

Ocean Freight Weakness: A Headwind for Port Drayage

Conversely, ocean container volumes at Expeditors dipped 3% in Q1, reflecting softer import demand and inventory destocking. This weakness directly impacts drayage carriers and port-side trucking. The Port of Los Angeles reported a 15% drop in container throughput in March, aligning with Expeditors’ ocean decline.

Carriers heavily reliant on port drayage may need to diversify into domestic or cross-border lanes. The shift from ocean to air for high-value goods also means less container volume but more air freight trucking opportunities.

Trucking Market Implications

The air-ocean divergence creates a bifurcated trucking market:

• Expedited & Time-Sensitive: Strong demand from air freight supports higher rates for fast, reliable service. Carriers with dedicated air freight divisions should see steady volumes.
• Port Drayage & Intermodal: Soft ocean volumes mean excess capacity and downward pressure on drayage rates. Expect tighter margins until import demand rebounds.
• Cross-Border & Domestic: As supply chains adjust, some freight shifts to nearshoring and domestic production, benefiting cross-border carriers (e.g., US-Mexico) and regional truckload.

Data-Driven Strategy for Carriers

With over 530,000 carriers indexed on our platform, we see real-time shifts in freight patterns. Our AI matching system identifies lanes with growing demand – currently, air freight-adjacent lanes show 24-hour average match times, while port drayage lanes take longer to fill. Carriers can use this data to pivot capacity.

For a deeper dive into technology trends, read our article on Scaling Electric Truck Charging: 11 Solutions for Fleets. And for regulatory context, check out DOT's Trucking Cleanup: Mission Accomplished?.

How LMDR Helps Carriers Navigate Market Shifts

Our platform connects 4,332+ drivers with carriers in real time. Whether you need to fill air freight expedited loads or reposition from soft ocean lanes, our AI matches you to the right freight in hours, not days. With a 95% driver satisfaction rate, we prioritize driver preferences and lane profitability.

Ready to optimize your fleet for the air freight surge? Sign up for LMDR and start receiving matched loads today.

FAQ

How does air freight strength affect trucking rates?

Air freight growth increases demand for expedited trucking, pushing up spot rates for time-sensitive loads. Carriers serving airports can command premiums of 10-20% over standard truckload rates.

Should I shift my fleet from port drayage to air freight?

If you have flexibility, reallocating some capacity to air freight lanes can offset ocean weakness. Use data from platforms like LMDR to identify high-demand airport zones.

What is the outlook for ocean freight trucking?

Ocean volumes may remain soft through mid-2026 as inventory destocking continues. Diversifying into domestic or cross-border freight can mitigate risk.